(COLUMBUS, Ohio) -- Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine is reminding Ohioans to take advantage of the Drug Enforcement Administration's (DEA) National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, which will take place across the country tomorrow.
Ohioans can drop of unneeded or unwanted prescription medications at nearly 300 locations in the state on Saturday, April 26, 2014, between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
"While the number of prescription drug overdose deaths in Ohio is going down, we still need to work together to do everything possible to prevent future death and addiction," said Attorney General DeWine. "By properly disposing of your unneeded medications, you are helping to make sure those pills cannot be misused."
“There is a solid link between prescription drug abuse and an increased risk of heroin use across America,” said DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon. “The National Take-Back Initiative is a safe and convenient way of properly disposing unwanted pharmaceutical drugs; in addition it offers all of us a way to do our part in the fight against heroin and all drug abuse.”
According to the DEA, seven previous nationwide Take-Back events have removed a total of more than 3.4 million pounds of medication from circulation.
A list of collection sites in Ohio can be found on the DEA's website.
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Media Contacts:
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Jill Del Greco: 614-466-3840
Mark McHugh (DEA) : 614-255-4192